Archives and Manuscript Librarian, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Posted January 29, 2015

The University of Massachusetts Amherst seeks an exceptional Archives and Manuscript Librarian to collaborate with a team of enthusiastic senior colleagues in Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) to provide comprehensive support in the department’s ongoing efforts to curate and preserve its collections and to provide outstanding access to its holdings. The ideal candidate will serve as an advocate for SCUA and the UMass Amherst Libraries.

This person will be responsible for implementing professional standards in care, arrangement and description. Working within a team, the ideal candidate will assist patrons in learning and research, participate in an active collection development program, and identify collections for digitization, ensuring digital content is created according to national and departmental standards. This person will also supervise student assistants and interns, conduct research, prepare exhibits in-house and online, make public presentations on SCUA and its collections, work with faculty and staff to promote the university’s history, and oversee the transfer and accessioning of new collections.

The ideal candidate must have:

1. Master’s degree in library science – or equivalent degree – from a program accredited by the American Library Association, or its appropriate equivalent in librarianship from another country, or have appropriate equivalent experience.
2. A minimum of three years of increasingly responsible professional experience working with university records or manuscript collections.
3. Training in areas such as archival management, manuscripts, maps, rare books, and/or special collections librarianship.
4. Educational background in the humanities or social sciences.
5. Working knowledge of at least one foreign language.
6. Demonstrated commitment to staff development.
7. Working knowledge of MARC format, strong knowledge of DACS and other relevant content standards, and strong familiarity with XML, EAD, TEI, MODS, DC, and other metadata standards.
8. Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to foster a collegial work environment that encourages change and innovation.
9. Mastery of interviewing skills and a superior level of efficiency in the use of reference and information sources, particularly primary, archival, rare, and manuscript sources.
10. Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes some evening, weekend, and holiday hours as needed.
11. Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral skills, including presentation skills.
12. Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment, including remaining calm under pressure.
13. Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a positive, constructive, flexible, and cooperative manner.
14. Ability to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities, showing initiative and flexibility.
15. Ability to interact effectively and work productively and collaboratively with a variety of colleagues and levels of staff.
16. Demonstrated ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively and to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness within the UMass Amherst Libraries and the campus.
17. Strong service orientation and the ability to meet the public graciously and tactfully. Strong customer service attitude and initiative.
18. Understanding of, appreciation of and experience with the goals of higher education.
19. Preferred qualifications include an advanced degree, successful grant writing experience, teaching experience, and advanced knowledge of digital and emerging technologies.
20. Minimum one year supervisory experience preferred.

This position is a Librarian level II or III; salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To be considered for this terrific opportunity, please apply online by February 16, 2015. Application must include letter of interest, résumé, and the names and contact information for three professional references.

The University of Massachusetts is strongly committed to excellence and actively supports cultural diversity. As part of a commitment to its own multicultural community, the Library seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace University initiatives and aspirations. The University of Massachusetts is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members.